I am writing you another letter to explain that there are
three studies missing in the package of canvases you already
have, because the postage for the roll with these taken out was
3.50 fr. less. So I will send them at the next
opportunity—or rather they are leaving today with other
canvases—as follows:

You will see that I am gaining a little in patience and that
perseverance will be one result of my illness. I feel freer
from many preoccupations. Someday you must send me - when it is
convenient - the red “Vineyard” and other canvases
for this purpose, after you have seen the five I have done.

Now as for the “Reaper” - first I thought that
the large-sized duplicate that I am sending you was not bad -
but afterward, when the days of mistral and rain came, I
preferred the canvas done from nature, which seemed rather
strange to me. But no, when the weather is cold and sad, it is
precisely that which makes me recall that furnace of summer
over the white-hot wheat, so it is not so exaggerated after
all.

Old Peyron has come back and talked to me about having seen
you and said that doubtless your letter would give me all the
details of the conversation which he had with you. And that in
any case the result was that it would be wise to stay on here
for a while. Which, being my own opinion too, goes without
saying.

Nevertheless, if an attack returns, I persist in wishing to
try a change of climate and returning to the North, even as a
last resort.

M. Peyron said that you looked well, which pleased me. I
have received ten tubes of white, but I need another dozen of
zinc white as soon as possible.

2

large tubes

cobalt

1

”

emerald

1

”

chrome I

1

small tube

carmine

For there are lovely autumn effects to do.

I feel quite normal now, and do not remember the bad days at
all.

With the work and very regular food, this will probably last
a pretty long time, notwithstanding the ups and downs, and
anyhow I shall go on working like this unless the thing
appears. For at the end of the month you will receive another
dozen studies.

Am I mistaken, your letter seems to me to be very late this
time?

Unfortunately there are no vineyards here; but for that I
should have done nothing else this autumn. There are plenty but
it would be necessary to go and stay in another village to do
them.

On the other hand the olive trees are very characteristic,
and I am struggling to catch them. They are old silver,
sometimes with more blue in them, sometimes greenish, bronzed,
fading white above a soil which is yellow, pink, violet-tinted
or orange, to dull red ochre. Very difficult though, very
difficult. But that suits me and induces me to work wholly in
gold or silver. And perhaps one day I shall do a personal
impression of them like what the sunflowers were for the
yellows. If I had had some of them last autumn! But this half
liberty often prevents me from doing what I nevertheless feel I
could. Patience, however, will tell me, and it is really
necessary.

Give Jo many kind regards and keep well and write soon
please. A handshake from